IBM is pushing the envelop of the appliance model for service-oriented architecture (SOA) by introducing the concept of an "ESB in a box" based on the WebSphere DataPower Integration Appliance XI50.

"WebSphere DataPower Integration Appliance XI50 delivers ESB functionality in a specialized SOA appliance," IBM announced at its Impact 2007 conference last week. That announcement is part of an IBM trend toward other SOA appliances, according to Dana Gardner, principal analyst of Interarbor Solutions LLC., who attended the conference. "I understand that IBM might also be coming out with a registry and repository appliance," he said.